When we decided to join the Alaska Cup 2013, on top of my other things to do with my footballer was to visit historical places in Manila. Perfect to help with his Civics lessons; I think he can understand more if he can relate to the topic and that means, visiting these places.
What other place in Manila is more historical than the walled city of Intramuros? And a trip to Intramuros is incomplete when you skip Fort Santiago.
I am confident to make our day trip kid-friendly but I guess I don’t have to make any effort. My son, Akira was ecstatic the moment we got our tickets.
He wanted to touch the fountain. Sorry kid.
Goofy way to kick-start our Fort Santiago tour.
The moment he saw the gate, ” Mama, that’s in my book (Civics)!”
He ran straight to Plaza de Armas ( “Weapons Square”)and asked me to take a photo of Rizal. This time, I was grinning from ear to ear, impressed that my son loves Fort Santiago.
I “surprised” him with Rizal inside his cell..
I assume every kid who comes here loves this martyr trail..
I admire how they maintain the parks inside Fort Santiago. Very clean and manicured.
Rizal Shrine was closed that time for some repairs so we proceeded to the dungeon and to Baluarte de Santa Barbara where he found more places and saw Pasig River. He just love these little passageways.
and we got lucky to have this golf ball as a souvenir. Just outside is a golf course.
The exhibits at Baluarte de Santa Barbara can be more informative with their tour guides. Nice pieces from furniture to the original novels of Rizal. With more tourists coming in, we went back to Plaza de Armas. I just let him explore on his own and he went inside the Rajah Suliman Theatre.
While I was sitting for a water break, I was surprised when Aki came with a guard. He asked to take a photo with a “guardia civil“. Sweet!
He went to areas I didn’t explore the last time I was here. I guess he just love the space and the fact that I was not telling him ” No! Stop that! Stay here!”. haha.
Complete your Fort Santiago with a kalesa ride( 50Php/pax). If you see this guy, take your ride with him. He was very courteous and nice to kids.
Breezy ride with his Jose Rizal pencil..:)
Who says Fort Santiago is boring?
I think he is ready for Corregidor. He just went crazy for these cannons. Even tried to get inside to be the cannon ball. haha!
He saw a tunnel that led us to the chapel of Guadalupe.
and more areas to explore.
I recommend all parents to take their kids to Fort Santiago. My son just fell in love with it – the cannons, tunnels and the large space for running. Come here as a family, your kids will surely ask a lot of things.
Tips:
- Best to come here early to avoid the rush. Around10:30, 10 tourists buses arrived.
- Bring water, hats and sunnies
What’s your Fort Santiago story?
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